The Vision Council is touting the importance of UV-protective sunwear with the celebration of National Sunglasses Day, taking place this Monday, June 27. The annual day of recognition, which has garnered support and promotions from organizations across the eyewear and eyecare industry, reminds consumers that wearing sunglasses is not only fashionable, but also a health necessity to protect their eyes from long- and short-term damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The campaign is reaching consumers via social media, as well as pitching key entertainment, fashion, health and lifestyle media outlets and influencers to secure print, web and social media coverage, using the official hashtags #NationalSunglassesDay and #SunglassSelfie. The campaign has also secured celebrity-sponsored Instagram and Twitter posts to be published on June 27 promoting the occasion, and is gifting key bloggers with sunglasses in exchange for additional social media coverage using the aforementioned hashtags. Additionally, a press release via PR Newswire will be published this week to further push the messaging to the masses.

Organizations throughout the industry have showed their support for the campaign, and many have utilized the National Sunglasses Day messaging to bolster their own efforts. Select members of The Vision Council are doing just that. A few examples include:

Eyeking with Under Armour Eyewear has partnered with Ripken Baseball to sponsor a national essay competition with youth baseball/softball teams for the occasion and to spread the word about children’s eye safety.
Safilo Group will be offering a special sales promotion with discounts for qualifying orders, and has landed a broadcast segment promoting summer sunglasses and the importance of UV eye protection.
Eyes of Faith is offering a patient order add-on offer.
Vuarnet is releasing a media pitch centered on National Sunglasses Day.

The Vision Council is encouraging all industry partners to spread the National Sunglasses Day message to educate consumers about UV eye safety and increase product sales. Please contact and Lindsey Brookbank, The Vision Council’s marketing & communications manager, fashion, to share your company’s efforts to help promote National Sunglasses Day.

The Vision Council also encourages eyecare providers to engage their patients in discussions about healthy vision maintenance, including the impact of UV exposure as well as UV protective eyewear options. Download a copy of The Vision Council’s latest consumer UV protection report, Spare Your Sight: Using Shades for Protection and Style. A second version of the report designed specifically for members of the optical industry is also available, focusing on the statistical findings from VisionWatch data to inform readers about consumer perceptions of UV effects and UV-protective eyewear as well as their knowledge of the many eyewear and lens options available in today’s market.

For more information, please visit www.nationalsunglassesday.com.